Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ivan Rakitic and Aleix Vidal

Juventus are reportedly preparing a January transfer offer for Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic, while Aleix Vidal is moving ever closer to the exit door.

According to Fichajes.net (h/t Calciomercato's Lorenzo Bettoni), Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has asked the club to make an approach for Rakitic as the Bianconeri continue their search for another star midfielder.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Per the report, the Italian giants failed to sign Blaise Matuidi of Paris Saint-Germain and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Axel Witsel during the summer, and the position will be addressed in January.

Rakitic is a key contributor for the Catalans, and the Croatia international has kept his spot in midfield despite the addition of Andre Gomes last summer. Per WhoScored.com, he has already scored twice in five La Liga starts this season.

The 28-year-old brings a level of physicality to Barcelona's midfield, and he also perfectly fits the club's passing philosophy. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Blaugrana fans and pundits like Rafael Hernandez were not happy when they realised both he and Andres Iniesta wouldn't start for the team in Sunday's La Liga match against Celta Vigo, and the Catalans ended up losing 4-3:

Juventus invested in Miralem Pjanic during the summer, and when everyone's healthy, he, Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio give Allegri three fantastic options. Depth behind the trio is limited, however, with Mario Lemina, Kwadwo Asamoah and 19-year-old Rolando Mandragora providing options.

Additions will be made in January, but the Bianconeri are expected to invest in a younger player they can nurture or a veteran happy to be part of a rotation―an automatic starter like Rakitic is not a must.

VI-Images/Getty Images

Barcelona are not expected to even listen to offers, let alone sanction a sale in the middle of the season. Bettoni reports it will be almost impossible for Juventus to bring Rakitic to Turin, and a move seems highly unlikely.

One man who is almost certain to leave the club in January is Vidal. Per Sport's Esther Blanco, the full-back is inching closer to the exit after he was left out of the squad to face Celta Vigo―the sixth match in a row in which manager Luis Enrique didn't even give him a spot on the bench.

According to Sky Sports (h/t Football Italia), Vidal is eyeing a January move, with AC Milan said to be interested. The 27-year-old has reportedly been a target for the Rossoneri for some time.

LLUIS GENE/Getty Images

The Spaniard was signed by the club in the summer of 2015 and made his debut in January following the end of Barcelona's transfer embargo. At the time, he was seen as a player who could replace veteran full-back Dani Alves, who left for Juventus during the summer.

Vidal played reasonably well during the second half of last season, but the emergence of 24-year-old Sergi Roberto gave Enrique options, and the manager has stuck with the youngster.

Vidal flashed his talent during his time with Sevilla, and despite a few rocky showings in the 2016-17 campaign, he's still regarded as a good full-back who could start for a number of top clubs. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Vidal could still be a valuable, experienced backup to Roberto, but he may have too much value on the transfer market for the club not to sell him―a team like Milan may be willing to spend good money in January.